Pumping apparatus



April 4, 1939. Av R. MAIER PUMPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l FiledDec. 21, 1955 INVENTOR; AUGUSTEHMIER 7 ATTORNEY.

April 1939- A. R. MAIER 2,153,094

PUMPING APPARATUS I v Filed Dec. 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 75 INVENTOR.

Aucus 7'1? M/ER.

ATTORNEYS April 4, 1939. M IER 2,153,094

PUMP ING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 fin-aim! INVENTOR. AuGuJTE. M/EE ATTORNEYS April 4, 1939. A. R. MAIER PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /77 1?? A 2225. hm

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PUMPING APPARATUS August It. Maier, Dallas, Tex., assignor to Oil Well Supply Company, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of New Jersey Application Decemberezl. 1935, Serial No. 55,628

4 Claims.

4 My invention relates to apparatus for pumping wells such as petroleum wells.

In pumping a group of oil wells it has frequently been the practice to install a complete pumping unit at one of the wells and to equip the unit with .a prime mover and speed reducing means of suflicient capacity to pump an additional number of wells by means of connecting lines attached to the unit. For example, the connecting lines to another well or to other wells may be attached to a crank arm on theend of the crankshaft opposite that to which equipment of the pumping unit is connected. In well pumping units it is also necessary to counter-balance the weight of the pumping apparatus extending into the well and when two or more wells are pumped from a single'primemover, they are attached thereto so that the pumping equipment of one well will be counterbalanced in whole or inpart by the pumping equipment of another well attached to the pumping unit. when an effective counter-balance cannot be obtained solely by the arrangement or attachment of the several pumping equipments to the prime mover, counter-balance weights are employed as in the case where but a single well is being pumped.

During the normal operation of a group of wells it is frequently necessary to disconnect one well x the momentum of the unbalanced weight. Moreover, more powerJs required to drive an unbalanced pumping system and a' larger prime mover is required to provide this additional power. My invention, therefore, provides a pumping unit in which a counter-balance may be readily and easily adjusted to compensate any changes in the number 1 or weight, or arrangement of the pumping equipment of thewells with respect to the pumping unit or prime mover. 46 'Ihe various features of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Flgs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are side views of a pumping apparatus embodying a preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 showing the apparatus arranged .50 for the pumping of a single well, Fig. 2 arranged for the pumping of two wells in balanced-relation, Fig. 3 arranged for the pumping of three wells, Fig. 4 an arrangement in which one of two balanced wells is disconnected and the other bein 555 balancedby counter-weights, Fig. 5 an arrangement in which two wells are pumped in balanced relation from a'single walking beam; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a driving mechanism embodying the invention; Fig. '7 is a view on a larger scale of the counter-weights, and mounting means therefor;

Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views on the lines' 8-8 and 9- 9 of Fig. 7 respectivelyy'and Fig. 10 is a half view of a counter-weight and a mounting therefor.

In my invention I provide on a crank located on the back side portion of the crank shaft or on the back side portion of the crank shaft of a driving mechanism for the pumping apparatus, a pair of adjustable counter-rweights which can be moved either together orsingly to any desired angle about the crank shaft and secured in position. Preferably these counter-balanced weights are mounted on a disc secured co-axially on the crank shaft or to the crank and having a circum ferential attaching groove which interlocks with the counter-balanced weights so that the latter may be moved about the circumference of the disc while in engagement with the groove. Circumferential notches are provided on the disc which may be engaged by securing means, such as bolts, on the counter-weights. The position of the counter-weights may therefore be adjusted by re- 'moving or loosening the attaching bolts, sliding the. counter-weights to the desired position and 'then securing them by inserting a locking bolt in the appropriate notch. The counter-weights of each pair are independently movable so that if a number of wells being pumped are balanced one 5 against the other the counter-weights may be arranged at diametrically opposite positions on the disc and thusmaintain the counter-balance. If

one well be then disconnected the counter-weights may be moved about the disc to such position that their weight takes the place of the disconnected well and counterebalances the remaining wells. If no counter-balance is provided on the forward portion of thecrank shaft and but a single well is attached to the mechanism, the counterweights may be positioned to counter-balance this single well. However, if a separate counterbalance is provided on the forward portion of the crank shaft, then the counter-balance weights may be arranged in diametrically oppositeposb tions soas to balance each other; likewise, if no counter-balance is provided on the forward portion of the crank shaft and two wells are attached so as to balance each other, the counter-balance weights may be arranged in diametrically opposite posltions. The mass of each counter-balance element may be weighted or adjusted to suit the requirements of particular situations or conditions.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated as applied to a well in which the pumping elements are attached by means of a connecting strap II to a beam hanger l2 mounted on one end of a walking beam 13 which is fulcrumed on a Samson post I4. The Samson post is mounted on a base l5 which may also carry a prime mover I6, such as a steam or internal combustion motor or an electric motor and from which power is transmitted to the walking beam l3. The transmission mechanism in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a speed reduction mechanism l1 driven from the prime mover 16 through a belt I8 and having a driving or crank shaft l9 from the-crank shaft of which power is taken to drive the walking beam l3 and any other well pumping apparatus that is to be driven from the prime mover. The walking beam I3 is driven by, means of a crank keyed or otherwise fixed on one end of the crank shaft l9 and having a number of holes or pin openings 2| in one of which one end of a pitman 22 is secured, the other end being secured by means of a bracket 23 to the arm of the walking beam l3 opposite the beam hanger l2. From the above arrangement it will be apparent that power is transmitted from the prime mover l6 through the belt I8 to the speed reduction mechanism l1 and thence is transmitted as reciprocating motion by the crank 20 and pitman 22.

Also mounted on the crank shaft l9, preferably at the opposite end from-the crank 20, is a disc 24 on which a pair of counter-weights 25 and 26 are so mounted that they may be adjusted to any desired position circumferentially. Each of the counter-weights 25 or 26 is formed of two complementary segmental elements 21' and 20 as shown in larger scale in Figs. 8 and 9 secured together by means of bolts 29. Four such holdi bolts 29 are shown by way of example, but it will be understood that a larger number or smaller number may be employed if circumstances so require. At the edge of the counter-weights nearest the axis of the crank shaft l9 oppositely positioned grooves are provided to receive a pair of circumferential flanges 30, one on each side of the disc 24, so that the counter-weights are securely held in position on the disc 24 while they may be moved circumferentially to any desired angle thereon particularly when the inner bolts 29 are loosened. The disc 24 extends slightly beyond the flanges 30 and in this extending portion is provided with a number of notches 3| (Fig. '1) equally spaced at-short intervals about the circumference of'the disc. Openings are provided in the counter-weight elements 21 and 29 through which agbolt 32 may be inserted and engaged in a selected notch 3| to hold the counter-weights in fixed angular position on the crank shaft. Each of the counter-weights is similar to the otherand of substantially the same weight. The counterweight elements 21 and 28 are hollowed internally at 33 and 34, respectively, so asto minimize the weight nearest the crank shaft axis and have recesses radially outwardly of the hollows 33 and 34 into which adjustable weights 35 may be inserted and secured by bolts 36. This provides that with a given weight the weightwill be so distributed as to provide a maximum momentum and also enables the mass of the counter-balance to be adjusted.

It will be understood that the mass or weight of the counter-bhlances will be adjusted so that the effective counter-balancing momentum will substantially equal the unbalanced forces on the pumping mechanism.

In the event an arrangement such as shown in Figure 1 is provided without any front side counter-balance, the two counter-balance weights 25 and 26 are arranged in substantial alignment for parallelism with the crank arm 20. When the beam is swinging counter-clockwise for an upward stroke of the pumping piston the crank arm 20 is swinging downwardly. Consequently, the counter-balance weights 25 and 26 being mounted in alignment with the crank 20 serve to counter-balance the weight of the pumping mecha nism.

In addition to'the single well pump as shown in Fig. 1 a second well may be driven directly from the crank shaft iii. For this purpose, a second crank is mounted on the crank shaft I9 at the end opposite from the crank 20. As shown in the accompanying drawings, it is made or cast integrally with the counter-balance carrying disc 24 and contains three arms 31, 38 and 39, 31'and 39 being arranged diametrically opposite to each other and at right angles to the crank arm 20. Each of the arms 31, 38 and 39 may be provided with a number of holes or openings 40 at different radial distances into any one of which may be inserted a connecting pin 4|. A second well may be driven from any one of the crank arms 31, 38 and 39 and pin 4| through a connecting rod or pull rod 42. When the prime mover and speed reduction mechanism are so arranged that the crank shaft l9 rotates counter-clockwise or in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 the connecting rod 42 will be connected to the crank arm 31.

It will be apparent, for example, from Fig. 2

that in the downwardly swinging phase of the crank arm 20 it will be lifting the beam hanger l2 and the pumping mechanism suspended therefrom. During this phase the crank arm 31 will be moving in such a direction as to permit the connecting rod 42 to move in a direction to lower the pump elements connected to it so that the pump elements connected to the rod 42 will lower while those suspended from the beam hanger l2 rise and vice versa. If the connecting rod 42 is connected in the opposite direction, that is to the well in the opposite side of the pumping element,

it would be connected to the crank arm 39, be

cause in this direction the pull is 180 from that in the position shown in Fig. 2. With both of the wells approximately counter-balanced, the counter-balance elements or weights 25 or 26 are arranged diametrically opposite each other and preferably at 90 to the crank arm 20 or in alignments with the crank arms 31 and 39.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, a pair of connecting rods 43 and 44 are attached to the crank arm 38. In this arrangement the weights on the rods 43 and 44 are approximately equal and opposite so that they counter-balance each other. The counter-balance weights 25 and 26 are therefore arranged to counter-balance the weight on the walking beam l3 and therefore in the same position as in Fig. 1. In this arrangement it will also be noted that the connections of the rods 43 and 44 are 180 from the connection of the pitman 22. Inasmuch as the pitman 22 acts vertically, this is equivalent to an advance of 90 so that the various weights are distributed at intervals of 90 about the circumference of the disc 24.

tions on the back side portion of said shaft, two

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the walking beam I3 is disconnected from the driving mechanism so as to permit drawing the pumping mechanism from the well or for purpose of repairs. The opposite end of the walking beam is therefore held in position by connecting the lower end of the pitman 22 to a bracket on the Samson post l4. In the event that the pumping apparatus was normally connected to drive a second well from one of the crank arms 31 or 39 the counter-balance weights 25 are moved to a position 90 from the crank arms 31 and 39 and in advance of the arm to which the rod 42 is connected so that the counter-weights 25 and 2G begin their down swing as the rod 42 moves off dead center. It will be understood that when the pitman 22 is again connected to the crank arm 20 the counter-balance weights 25 and 26 will be arranged diametrically opposite each other as in Fig. 2.

I In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, one well is pumped fromthe walking beam l3 and another from an extension from the beam l3 composed of a pair of bracket arms 46 and extending downwardly in a triangular arrangement and connected at their apex to a connecting rod 48 leading to the second well. With the above arrange ment it will be apparent that as the right arm of the walking beam rises to lift the strap II the rod 48 slides to the right to lower the pumping mechanism attached to it. The pumping mechanisms thus counter-balance each other and the weights 25 and 26 are arranged diametrically opposite each other and at 90 to the crank arm 20 as in Fig. 2.

It will be understood that the counter-balance weights 25 and 26 may be positioned close to each other or substantially in contact in the arrangements shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 and the mass of the counter-balance weights be made equal or substantially equal to that of the pumping mechanisms they balance. Or if this is not practicable, they may be separated so that their moment arm; will be shortened and thus their effective weight reduced. Through the above in-- vention therefore. counter-balance mechanisms are provided which permit a simple and easy adjustment for a wide variety of different conditions, it being only necessary to remove the positioning bolt 32, slide the weights to their new positions and secure them by reinserting the of said crank arm locations being located approximately 90 degrees from the third crank arm location, and a counter-balancing means for counter-balancing the unbalanced loads applied at any of said back side crank arm locations, said means comprising a mounting member concentrically mounted on the back side of said shaft, a plurality of counter-balancing weights and means to adjustably secure said weights onto said mounting member for circumferential adjustment about the axis of rotation of said shaft.

2. Pumping apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft, a crank arm on the front side portion of said shaft for oscillating a counter-balanced mechanism, a disk member concentrically mounted on the back side of said shaft, a crankpin, said disk being provided with means to provide at least three effective crank pin locations, two of said crank pinlocations being located approximately 90 degrees from the third crank pin location, and a plurality of counter-balance weights adjustably mounted on said disk for circumferential adjustment about the periphery of said disk, and adapted to counter-balance the unbalanced loads applied to said shaft.

3. Pumping apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft, a crank arm on the front side end of said shaft for oscillating a counter-balanced mechanism, a plurality of crank arms on the back side end of said shaft, two of which are located 90 degrees from a third, and a counter-balancing means for counter-balancing the loads applied to one or more of said back side crank arms, said means comprising a disc member integral with said crank arms, means to concentrically mount said disc member on the back side end of said shaft, a plurality of counter-balancing weightsand means to adjustably secure said weights onto said disc for circumferential adjustment about the axis of rotation of said shaft.

4. Pumping apparatus comprising, in combination, a horizontally extending rotatable shaft, a crank arm on the front side of said shaft for oscillating a counter-balanced walking beam, a plurality of crank arms on the back side of said shaft, said plurality of crank arms including two of which are located at 90 degrees from a third, and a counter-balancing means for counter-balancing the unbalanced loads applied to one or more of said crank arms, said counterbalancing means comprising a disc member, means to concentrically mount said disc member integral with said back side crank arms, a

plurality of counter-balancing weights and means to adjustably secure said weights onto said disc for circumferential adjustment about the axis of rotation of said shaft.

AUGUST 12. MAlIER. 

